The role of macrophages and immunocytes in the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases due to mineral dusts.

Abstract

There is considerable evidence of generalized stimulation of the immune system in pulmonary dust diseases. This stimulation involves both the T- and the B-arms of the immune system. A reasonable explanation of this immune stimulation resides in an effect of the mineral dusts on the macrophages. This effect is likely to be mediated by the production of interleukin-1. Since the same substance also stimulates fibroblasts, a unified view of the pathogenesis of pulmonary dust diseases is now possible.

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This record was last updated on 07/01/2016 and may not reflect the most current and accurate biomedical/scientific data available from NLM.
The corresponding record at NLM can be accessed at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6291383